Saturday, January 07, 2006

Gudjohnsen hero: Chelsea 2 Huddersfield 1

Eidur Gudjohnsen made the firefighter job for Chelsea with a late winner after Huddersfield had been very close to pull off one of the biggest FA Cup shocks in recent history.

England international Carlton Cole, in his first start of the season, put Chelsea in front in the 12th minute when he converted Damien Duff’s low cross at the second attempt.

As Chelsea failed to turn superiority into goals, Huddersfield gained in belief. Attacking the Shed End in the second-half where stood and sat their 6,000 fans, the visitors began to ask Chelsea to defend. The equaliser came with 15 minutes to go. Fortunately, it took only six minutes more to prevent an wanted trip up the motorway to West Yorkshire.

But Gary Taylor-Fletcher stunned the Barclays Premiership champions with a second-half equaliser, before Gudjohnsen put them into the next round by supplying the the finish to Arjen Robben’s left-wing cross nine minutes from time.